Three 12-year-old girls in serious condition after taking Ecstasy

Three 12-year-old girls are in a serious condition in hospital after taking ecstasy pills, police in the UK have said.

The teenagers took so-called "Teddy Tablets" in Salford on Saturday and emergency services were called at around 9.50pm.

Greater Manchester Police are now trying to establish how the children got their hands on the potentially lethal pills and who supplied them.

They warn young people to stay away from the party drug - which has already led to the death of a 22-year-old girl in recent weeks.

Anyone in possession of illegal substances was also urged to hand them into the police, chemists or medical practitioners.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Walker said: "Sadly, three more young people, who are only 12 years old, have taken ecstasy and ended up in hospital.

"The girls took a type of ecstasy described as 'Teddy Tablets'. It is imperative young people understand the implications and avoid taking drugs, to stop any more young people ending up in hospital.

"We will continue to repeat our warnings in the hope that young people will think twice before taking drugs, after seeing the damage they cause to lives. People taking these drugs don't know what they contain or what effect they will have. It's not worth the risk of ending up in hospital or even suffering fatal consequences.

"Police will now be investigating how the girls got hold of these class A drugs and who supplied them.

"Let this be a warning to anyone supplying Class A drugs to young people, and in this case children, you are ruining lives. We will catch you and the full force of the law will be brought down on you."

Anyone with information about where this drug may have come from is asked to contact police on 101 as soon as possible, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.